Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Maine (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Maine is $138, which includes a $120 court filing fee, and $18 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $120 · Processing time: ~3 weeks
Estimated costs by reason
Totals include Social Security (free), driver’s license, and adult passport selections—matching the calculator defaults.
| Reason | Estimated total cost | Timeline | Publication required |
|---|---|---|---|
| After Marriage | $178 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $178 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $298 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $348 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $298 | ~10 weeks | Sealed |
Which state are you in?
Why are you changing your name?
Which documents do you need to update?
How to Change Your Name in Maine
Maine Probate Court filing fees for name changes run $50-$80 in most counties - among the lowest in New England. After-marriage name changes in Maine use your marriage certificate directly without any court involvement, keeping costs minimal for newlyweds. Maine processes name changes through the Probate Court rather than the Superior Court, which is somewhat unusual compared to other states.
Maine does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes, keeping the process clean and affordable. You file your petition at the Probate Court in the county where you reside. Maine's county probate courts are generally accessible and responsive, with processing times typically running 4-6 weeks from filing to receiving your order.
Maine has a particularly straightforward name change process with no unusual state-specific quirks. The Probate Court reviews your petition and conducts a standard review. Maine is also one of the more progressive states for gender marker name changes, allowing self-certification without medical documentation on state IDs.
The Maine BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) charges $30 for a corrected Maine driver's license with a name change. Visit any Maine BMV branch office with your court order or marriage certificate, current Maine license, and proof of SSA update. Maine BMV allows online scheduling at most locations.
Maine divorce decrees can include name restoration provisions. Maine Family Court is receptive to name restoration requests. Including this in your original divorce decree is recommended to avoid a separate Probate Court petition later.
Key Maine links: Maine Courts (courts.maine.gov), Maine BMV (maine.gov/sos/bmv), Pine Tree Legal Assistance (ptla.org) which serves all Maine counties with free legal help including name change guidance for qualifying residents.
Maine name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $120 |
| Certified copies (3 × $6 each) | $18 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $30 |
| Processing time | ~3 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | At or below 125% federal poverty level |
Common reasons in Maine
Name Change Guides for Maine
FAQ: Maine name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Maine?
- Court filing fees in Maine start around $120 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $6 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Maine?
- Many Maine court petitions finish in about 3 weeks, but crowded dockets, publication, or fingerprinting can add time. After-marriage updates using a certificate are often faster because they skip the petition.
- Do I need to publish my name change in a newspaper in Maine?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Maine do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Maine?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Maine if you meet the court’s income guidelines (At or below 125% federal poverty level). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in Maine?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Maine residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Maine?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Maine marriage certificate, you typically update Social Security first, then your driver’s license, then banks and payroll. Hyphenated or new invented names may still require a court petition—check local court rules.
Voter Registration After Your Name Change
After legally changing your name in Maine, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. Maine offers online voter registration paths for many voters, though some counties still require mail or an in-person visit for certain updates. If your registration still shows an old name close to an election, you may face additional checks at the polling place. See the full 50-state voter registration guide for deadlines, typical documents, and official Vote.gov links.
Related: SAVE Act & name change overview